CADDtools Blog by Howard Goding

A Cut List Pic

Welcome to the CADDtools blogging page. This will focus on tools and tips to help current and future users of AutoCAD and ASCE 7 building code.

First a little about my background, I work for a glazing contractor preparing shop drawings of architectural aluminum storefront and curtain wall systems using the most current version of AutoCAD thanks to the Autodesk subscription program. I also prepare order and fabrication take-offs. I started drafting by hand in the mid-80s while I worked my way through community college. After many years going part time I graduated with an AAS in mechanical engineering. I have worked for two of the big architectural aluminum companies; Kawneer and YKK AP America. Being the only draftsman at my current job keeps me very busy.

MetalOpt 8.1 release Brake metal routine

Posted by HG on January 2, 2023

MetalOpt 8.1 has a new brake metal sheet where the user will enter the length, girth and quantity. After clicking the copy button MetalOpt will optimize in one direction and copy the data to an original MetalOpt fab sheet. Once on the new fab sheet the user will run the MetalOpt optimizer in its normal fashion to determine the number of sheets required.

This is a short-term solution. My goal is to incorporate this routine into one operation.

  • Go to: MetalOpt material optimizer
  • ASCE 7 Corner Zone revision

    Posted by HG on March 1, 2022
    ASCE7_16 Pic

    The formula to calculate the corner zone has been adjusted to accurately display the Zone 5 dimension for Part 1 and part 3 of ASCE 7-16 and 7-10.

  • Go to: ASCE 7-16 Wind Load calculator
  • Go to: ASCE 7-10 Wind Load calculator
  • MetalOpt 8 Redesigned

    Posted by HG on February 16, 2022

    MetalOpt 8 has a new optimizing engine that attempts to find the best cutting to obtain the minimum number of stock lengths. After four years of development the redesigned optimizer is released with significant improvements to the original linear optimizer which ended up four times faster than the previous version. The new Max optimize will attempt to find a better outcome with the goal of reducing stock lengths or in some cases increases the drop length which improves the material to be reused. Due to the time required to find every outcome the program has a time limitation and finds the absolute best outcomes about 90% of the time.

  • Go to: MetalOpt.com for more information.
  • MetalOpt 7.6 update

    Posted by HG on January 5, 2020

    MetalOpt 7.6 has a user requested RazorGage update. I think this change accommodate the needs of the RazorGage users.

  • Go to: MetalOpt.com for more information.
  • also see: RazorGage.com for information on their product.
  • CADDtools Drawing starter continues to work with AutoCAD 2020

    Posted by HG on May 02, 2019
    CTstarter Pic

    The CADDtools Drawing starter program continues to work with the newest version of AutoCAD® 2020. Although there is no information on the demise of the SDI=1 system variable, an AutoCAD user can start individual sessions of AutoCAD® by double clicking a DWG file from Microsoft Explorer after installing the CADDtools Drawing starter program and associating the DWG file extension to the CADDtools Drawing starter program. The ability to start multiple sessions of AutoCAD by double clicking a DWG file from Microsoft Explorer was eliminated in the AutoCAD 2019 version. This is the reason why I developed the CADDtools Drawing starter program.

  • Go to: CADDtools Drawing starter
  • CADDtools Drawing starter while SDI=1 released

    Posted by HG on July 31, 2018
    CTstarter Pic

    The CADDtools Drawing starter program will help you start multiple sessions of AutoCAD® by double clicking an AutoCAD® DWG file from Microsoft Explorer while the AutoCAD® setting for SDI=1 and works with SDI=0. The VB.Net program was originally designed to start AutoCAD® 2019 and will work with older versions. The CADDtools program has been tested with the full version of AutoCAD® and AutoCAD LT® has not been tested. The CADDtools program will only start your copy of AutoCAD® and does not interact beyond the startup process. The ability to start multiple sessions of AutoCAD® from Windows Explorer while the SDI=1 was included in older versions of AutoCAD® but has been eliminated in the AutoCAD® 2019 version.

  • 1st Install the CADDtools Drawing starter program with the CTsetup file you download, refer to the setup video. This will add a new file association .ctdg in Windows to store a file association with the CADDtools.exe file.
  • 2nd Associate the AutoCAD® DWG files from the AutoCAD® DWG Launcher to the CADDtools Drawing starter
  • Go to: CADDtools Drawing starter
  • ASCE 7-16 Wind Load calculator

    Posted by HG on April 10, 2018
    ASCE7_16 Pic

    A new version of the ASCE 7-16 windload calculator is released

  • Some of the changes are a new variable Ke was added to the velocity pressure formula. Ke represents a Ground elevation factor and the value is determined from a calculation above sea level. See the interactive map showing your elevation above sea level and the calculated Ke variable.
  • The Kz value on exposure B was revised on heights under 30 feet. You will notice smaller design pressures under those conditions.
  • I added programing to accommodate the use of feet and inches to be converted to decimal feet as the program requires. This will cover the mean roof height and least building width. The program will let you know when the conversion has happened after the design pressures are calculated.
  • Go to: ASCE 7-16 Wind Load calculator
  • The ASCE 7-10 calculator was revised with the exception rule check box and the use of feet and inches to be converted to decimal feet.
  • MetalOpt 7.2 update

    Posted by HG on January 29, 2017

    MetalOpt 7.2 has a small update to the eluCad routine per a customers request. I think the change accommodates the needs of the eluCad users.

  • Go to: MetalOpt.com for more information.
  • also see: elusoft.de/en/products/elucad/ for information on their product.
  • MetalOpt 7.1 update

    Posted by HG on January 1, 2017

    MetalOpt 7.1 has an update adding a new fab sheet for the eluCad software used on elumatec saws and programing to create the eluCad DGX native file to be used directly on their software.

  • 1. Added eluCad functions.
  • 2. Material length and miter information will be included in the DGX file.
  • 3. MetalOpt will perform the internal conversions from Imperial unites to metric lengths the eluCad software uses.
  • 4. A DGX file can be created from the Fab sheet or linear cut list or stack cut list.
  • 5. New functions added to all routines: When creating a DGX, CSV or RDB file from the CuttingList it is important the Extrusion number matches the fab sheet Tab number. This is how the program finds the angle data to include in the files.
  • Go to: MetalOpt.com for more information.
  • also see: elusoft.de/en/products/elucad/ for information on their product.
  • MetalOpt 7 for Mac release

    Posted by HG on May 3, 2017
    A chart Pic

    This is the introduction of a Mac compatible version of MetalOpt. This release includes a new recap sheet routine for both the PC and Mac versions. The Mac version of Excel 2016 must be version 15.17 or newer. Older versions of Excel for Mac are not compatible. Customers can request a Beta version of MetalOpt 6.4m which is compatible with Excel 2011 for Mac although this version has mixed reviews. The PC version of MetalOpt must be used to utilize the AutoCAD material Tag data feature and the CSV export feature due to the use of activeX programing.

  • Go to: MetalOpt.com for more information.
  • CADDtools Data Exchange update

    Posted by HG on August 3, 2016
    A chart Pic

    A new version of the CADDtools Data Exchange program has two additions to the program, a glazing insert routine and a table creation routine. Along with these additions there are more layer filter options to use on all of the routines. MetalOpt 6.4 includes the new layer filters.

  • The (Insert Glazing Data) routine helps you creating new glazing data quickly. The first screen lets you set up a few constants. The main field to concentrate on is the glass description. While using the routine you will be inserting one type of glass. To change the glass descriptions stop and rerun the routine. To end the routine click the escape key on the keyboard.
  • The (Create TABLE from Tag Data) routine creates tables from the data you select. The tables accommodate the material - glazing - frame sequence and miscellaneous data. I created the miscellaneous data to accommodate non-targeted attributes and can be used for small parts such as shear blocks F & T anchors and steel anchors. The table routine includes a quantity field multiplier this can be used to multiply by the number of elevations being built. Using a zero - one or leaving the quantity field blank will result in the actual count on the drawing.
  • Go to: Data Exchange program to download the file.
  • MetalOpt 6.4 compatibility update

    Posted by HG on June 21, 2016

    MetalOpt 6.4 has an update increasing the number of layers filtered from AutoCAD. This addition will accommodate a future release of the CADDtools Data Exchange. Keep a look out for the new release of the CADDtools Data Exchange.

    MetalOpt 6.3 update

    Posted by HG on June 15, 2015

    MetalOpt 6.3 has a minor update adding a new fab sheet for the RazorGage saw stop and programing to create RazorGage native file to be used directly on their software.

  • 1. Added RazorGage functions.
  • 2. Expanded the sorted data function from the CADDtools Data Exchange program. This will allow you to include up to eight additional preps per part and add it to the MetalOpt fab sheet automatically.
  • 3. Added glass layer CADDtoolsGL functionality to see the layer in AutoCAD.
  • 4. Created small routine to repair quick buttons due to Window anomaly.
  • Go to: MetalOpt.com for more information.
  • also see: RazorGage.com for information on their product.
  • CADDtools Data Exchange VB.net version

    Posted by HG on February 21, 2015

    The new version of the CADDtools Data Exchange program is released. This version utilizes the vb.net programing and eliminates the need to install the AutoCAD visual basic module. There are two versions for AutoCAD 2013 through 2015 and a version for AutoCAD 2012. Both versions work on 32 bit and 64bit AutoCAD installs. Some of the improvements include:

  • 1. Got rid of the annoying rerun button. Now the program automatically runs again.
  • 2. In the Export Data window, you can select which layer you want to extract. CADDtools or CADDtoolsGL
  • 3. In the Export Data window, the program keeps track of the elevations previously entered. This is shown to the right of the Export data window. I don't know how many times someone started asking me questions while I was 70% through a 30 elevation data extraction. Did I enter elevation 20 or 21? Crap!
  • 4. Go to: Data Exchange program

  • Introducing MetalOpt online

    Posted by HG on February 9, 2014

    I have created an online version of MetalOpt for you to try. It has similar operations as the main MetalOpt optimizer. The limitations are the online version will only let you optimize up to five different lengths. You have the option to run the optimizer only to get the number of stock lengths you require or you can run the cut list routine to get your results in a list form to print and use to cut from. The main features include:

  • 1. Optimize and generate a cut list.
  • 2. Input your own custom stock length size.
  • 3. Adjust for different saw blade thicknesses.
  • 4. The option to include an end cut length.
  • 5. Optimizing up to five different lengths.
  • 6. Option to include a part name to be added to your cut list.
  • 7. Go to: Free MetalOpt
  • New CADDtools web site

    Posted by HG on November 9, 2013

    This is the introduction of a new CADDtools website. I have been working on many projects which kept me from updating this site for quite a few years. I have updated the site to the new web site standards while keeping a minimal structure so the site will load quickly. My goal was to make the site easier to navigate and read. Please feel free to comment below, it may get included in the next blog.

    Dynamic Door Blocks

    Posted by HG on September 20, 2013

    As you see on the main page of the website I have created some dynamic door blocks to use in AutoCAD. These door blocks come in handy for configuring doors quickly. I have some other manufacturers I am trying to get time to work on. Hopefully in the near future I will get them posted. I no longer require an email address since it was not well received. To keep up to date with revisions made to the door blocks please include your email or check back often to see newer features.

    ASCE 7-10 Wind Load calculator

    Posted by HG on April 21, 2013

    The new ASCE 7-10 wind load calculator is up and running. This design pressure calculator is an improvement over the ASCE 7-05 version. The ASCE 7-05 has been archived and can be found at the following link: CADDtools ASCE 7-05

    Salvage 1

    Salvage 1 site

    This is a site I dedicated to the Salvage 1 TV series and the people who keep the memory alive: namely the Salvage 1 user group and the handful of dedicated people who have great web sites along with the people working to preserve the TV show. Since I am a CAD draftsman I used AutoCAD to create a drawing of the space craft based on the drawing in the show.

    Web template thanks

    Zenlike

    I would like to take the opportunity to thank nodethirtythree design for their Zenlike 1.0 web template. Originally created by nodethirtythree design www.nodethirtythree.com I greatly modified their template to create this website.

    THANKS

    Next Blog Soon

    Posted by HG on October 20, 2016

    This will be new content.

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